Once again, a study has shown that unionized coal mines are not only safer places to work than nonunion mines, but that union miners produce more coal. The study, by SNL Energy, found that in 2013 unionized mines in northern and central Appalachia produced about 94,091 tons of coal per injury versus 71,110 in nonunion mines, despite research suggesting that unionized miners are more likely to report injuries that have occurred on the job.

The AFL-CIO today launches a national immigration training plan, “We Rise!” (¡Adelante!). It is designed to reach, mobilize and organize immigrant workers in their workplaces and in their communities. The three-day kick-off event in Washington, D.C., will include trainings, workshops and strategy sessions designed to empower immigrants and their allies to lead campaigns that will enhance the rights of all workers. The event will include more than 200 union members, leaders and staff from 23 unions, and activists and community leaders from 26 states across the nation.

In our regular weekly feature, we'll be taking a look at the winners and losers of the week in the struggle for the rights of working families. The winners will be the persons or organizations that go above and beyond to expand or protect the rights of working families, while the losers will be whoever went above and beyond to limit or deny those rights.

The Indiana legislature passed and Gov. Mike Pence (R) signed a bill last week that critics, from human and civil rights groups to corporate CEOs to professional athletes, say opens the door to legal discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people.

An “old school” demonstration Friday on Capitol Hill by American college students protested proposed cuts by House Republicans to Pell Grants that help our children afford college. I use the phrase “our children” because it is a well-worn phrase “our children are our future.” House Republicans appear to believe they are not “our children,” but your children; and you had better figure out how to get them educated because they are your problem, not our future. This is carrying the case for individualism to an absurd level.

We've all heard the stories of fast-food restaurants mistreating their workers, but it's hard to imagine managers telling employees who are burned on the job to put mustard or butter on their wounds. Hard to believe, but that's just what Fight For $15 reports in their latest video. Check it out, but be warned that it contains graphic visuals of employee burns. Then, after you get upset, go learn more and sign the Fight For $15 petition calling for the U.S. Department of Labor to investigate these terrible tactics.

Nearly two dozen major corporations have joined together in recent years in an effort to gut workers' compensation laws in the states. Walmart, Lowe's, Macy's, Kohl's, Sysco Food Services and others formed the Association for Responsible Alternatives to Workers' Compensation (ARAWC) in 2013, and the organization already has had success in Tennessee. Mother Jones takes a look at ARAWC's methods.

It's time once again to take a look at the battles for the rights of working families in the states. Here is what the unions in the states are talking about this week. Click on any of the links to follow the state federations and labor councils on Twitter.

On Tuesday, March 31, please join Carmen Berkley, AFL-CIO's director of civil, human and women's rights, for a Twitter chat in honor of women's history month. Carmen will lead a conversation that will focus on issues women face in the workplace, including paid family leave, fair scheduling and gender equality. You can participate in the chat on Twitter by following @CarmenSpinDiego, @AFLCIO and the hashtag #1uHerStory.